The positive aspects of the Norwegian Epic are as follows. The Epic has a breathtaking chandelier. They check your bags upon arrival in a lounge so you don't have to drag them with you for lunch. They have a beautiful Thermal Spa. A real disappointment considering the memories of my travels on the Gem and the Dawn.

Now for the negative aspects of this brand new ship. The lunch menu in Tastes is the same everyday. There are only 2 free restaurants to choose from, I don't call the pub a restaurant. Things don't get much better in the evening, the 2 dining rooms only change 3 entree choices, 2 appetizer choices and 2 dessert choices every night. All Souffles were removed from the menu. Gary the Maitre'd did accommodate us and made a chocolate souffle for us one evening and a Grand Marnie souffle another. The Garden Cafe is crowded, messy (food on the floor, slippery)and noisy. You wait in line so long for food and a place to sit that by the time you are ready to dine the food is cold. The staff isn't very friendly and don't rush to assist customers to find seating or help the elderly who struggle with their plates - no more trays to carry food.

The room is very small. No real bathroom - the area you step out into from the shower is the entrance to the room. If someone opens the door a show is given to anyone who is passing in the hall. We had a commode door that did to close as we entered the stateroom, it was fixed. Then the toilet did not flush, another repair. The sink design splashes water all over the counter and the floor. The beds are the most uncomfortable I've ever slept on in my life. We used our beach towels in St. Maarten but they were not returned the following day for St. Thomas. We had to hunt down the cabin steward for the towels. Same happened after St. Thomas for Nassau, again had to search for the cabin steward to receive the towels. Read more